Mayor Kasim Reed Speaks Out About Student, Teacher Shot at Price Middle School

A 14-year-old student suffered a gunshot wound to the head Thursday outside Price Middle School, which is located just south of downtown Atlanta police and school officials said.

The victim was conscious and alert at Grady Memorial Hospital, his mother told CNN affiliate WSB-TV. A fellow Price Middle School student was in custody, according to police and Atlanta Public Schools. No other students were harmed in the 1:50 p.m. shooting.

An off-duty Atlanta police officer working as a school resource officer disarmed and apprehended the suspect immediately after the shooting, police Chief George Turner said.

Police detectives were interviewing the victim in the hospital, his mother told WSB-TV. He knows the assailant, who the mother said was “talking smack” to her son between classes before pulling out a gun and firing, the station said.

Mayor Kasim Reed recently spoke out about the shooting, saying that the victim is in his prayers.

“Gun violence in and around our schools is simply unconscionable and must end. Too many young people are being harmed, and too many families are suffering from unimaginable and unnecessary grief,” Reed said in a statement. “I pray that the student who was shot today at Price Middle School in southwest Atlanta recovers quickly and can return home to family and friends. A suspect has been taken into custod.

“I would also like the students, faculty and families of the Price Middle School community to know that they have the full support of the City of Atlanta as they heal from today’s terrible incident. The city’s Employee Assistance Program counselors are already at the school providing guidance for students, faculty and family members.”

Price Middle School is located in the 1600 block of Benjamin Weldon Bickers.

Initial reports indicated the shooting victim was a girl, however, Atlanta Police spokesman Carlos Campos later said the victim was a 14-year-old boy.

The second person hurt was a teacher who may have been trampled in the confusion following the shooting. The teacher was also taken to Grady. His or her condition is not presently known.